REACHING THE SUMMIT THROUGH TITLE V GRANTS, UNM-TAOS HELPS UNDERSERVED STUDENTS SUCCEED

By Scott Gerdes, UNM-Taos

Opportunity feeds desire. Higher education is a way to satisfy that hunger. Grants that help students succeed in their education, and beyond, are important pieces of the pie.

Such pieces are HSI grants, such as Title V funding, which has established the CUMBRES program at The University of New Mexico-Taos (UNM-Taos). CUMBRES (Communities Uniting to Model and Build Rural Entrepreneurial Success) is a collaborative project between UNM-Taos and Eastern New Mexico University-Roswell. The program focuses on helping students in rural communities who often find themselves facing technological challenges – including access to the internet and computers – as well as limited course offerings in business and entrepreneurship.

An innovative CUMBRES initiative is making Wi-Fi jetpacks (portable internet hot spots) and laptops available for student check out. The jetpacks allow them the ability to take online courses, as well as complete homework assignments. Students have called the devices, “life changing.” Laptops are also available for check out, very much like a library book.

The most impactful CUMBRES initiative has been the creation of Career Services on both campuses. Students in Taos can work with a career counselor on all aspects of career exploration, as well as receiving assistance with resume writing, mock interviews, and “pitch practice.” All students who visit with a career counselor receive a pad folio for use during interviews or for class. Career Services also offers local employers assistance with hiring, and publishes available positions and internships within our area on a monthly basis. One incredibly innovative program sponsored by Taos’ Career Services is the Reverse Job Fair.

UNM-Taos hosted its first Reverse Job Fair in October 2019. This concept allowed job seekers to highlight their strengths and skills, and present the full spectrum of their abilities to business representatives looking for specific skillsets.

All job seekers were required to work through Career Services to prepare their tables. In that capacity, they had an opportunity to sharpen their career readiness skills and prepare to move forward into the local workforce.

Additionally, community employers felt this was an innovative way of transforming the run-of-themill job fair. Lawrence Medina of Rio Grande ATP said, “Normally, employers don’t get to network with one another at traditional job fairs. This is great to have an opportunity to meet with other employers.”

Employers can also observe the interactions of job seekers with other employers, giving them a different insight into the interview process. Larry Mapes of Valverde Energy said, “It’s a completely different setting. I can watch how job seekers interact with others.”

Twenty-three local employers were represented at the event and 17 job seekers participated. UNM-Taos Digital Media Arts student Isaiah Galante received 12 job offers onsite. Fellow student Yvonne Macarenas has been employed with Valverde Energy for several months after attending the event.

“UNM-Taos is extremely grateful for the opportunities that CUMBRES has brought to campus,” stated Victoria Gonzales, department chair, Professional Skills and Community Engagement at UNM-Taos. “As we are nearing the end of the grant (September 30, 2020), we have proudly provided direct services to over 500 students, 45 employers, and have been instrumental in the development of 11 entrepreneurial endeavors.”